The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has banned Kenyan marathoner Titus Ekiru for ten years over collusion with a doctor to use prohibited substances.
In a statement on Monday, October 16, AIU said the 31-year-old athlete tested positive twice for the Triamcinolone Acetonide, metabolite and its marker norpethidine in his in-competition urine samples at marathons which he won in 2021.
The international body also disqualified Ekiru’s win in 2021 resulting in the forfeiture of all prizes and money.
“In addition to the ban which runs from 28 June 2022 (the date of Ekiru’s provisional suspension) until 27 June 2032 – Ekiru’s results on and since 16 May 2021 have been disqualified, resulting in the forfeiture of all prizes and money. Ekiru’s victory in the Generali Milano Marathon would have made him the sixth-fastest marathoner of all time,” read the statement in part.
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According to AIU, Ekiru was charged with two counts of the presence of a prohibited substance in July 2023 as per Rule 2.1 of the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules (ADR) and two counts of Tampering or Attempted Tampering with any part of Doping Control (ADR Rule 2.5).
“Initially, Ekiru signaled his intention to contest the charges. However, faced with substantial evidence against him, the Kenyan athlete decided that he no longer wanted to pursue the case,” AIU stated.
The international body also disclosed it acquired Ekiru’s hospital records in conjunction with the Anti Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) which showed discrepancies in the marathoner’s explanations and supporting documentation.
“It was the testimony of the Nandi County Director of Medical Services which solidified the case against Ekiru with a series of damning conclusions while also exposing the complicity of the senior doctor,” AIU added.
